# Frank De Winne

> Belgian astronaut

**Wikidata**: [Q52495](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q52495)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_De_Winne)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/frank-de-winne

## Summary
Frank De Winne is a Belgian astronaut who has been recognized internationally with multiple space awards including the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal and the Russian Federation's Medal "For Merit in Space Exploration." His contributions to space exploration as part of Expedition 21 to the International Space Station have established him as a significant figure in aerospace history for Belgium.

## Biography
- Born: [date and place not provided in source material]
- Nationality: Belgium
- Education: Not explicitly detailed in source material, though he has received honorary doctorates from Hasselt University, University of Liège, and University of Antwerp
- Known for: Being a Belgian astronaut with achievements in space exploration
- Employer(s): European Space Agency (not explicitly stated but inferred from astronaut status)
- Field(s): Aerospace, space exploration

## Contributions
As an astronaut, Frank De Winne has participated in space missions, including serving as part of Expedition 21 to the International Space Station. His work has contributed to the advancement of space exploration and has been recognized with multiple awards including the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal and the Russian Federation's Medal "For Merit in Space Exploration." His experience as both an engineer and military personnel has informed his approach to space exploration and leadership roles.

## FAQs
- What awards has Frank De Winne received? Frank De Winne has received numerous awards including the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal, the NASA Space Flight Medal, the Medal "For Merit in Space Exploration" from the Russian Federation, and the Order of Friendship from Russia. He has also been awarded multiple honorary doctorates from Belgian universities including Hasselt University, University of Liège, and University of Antwerp.

- How is Frank De Winne connected to the Belgian royal honors system? Frank De Winne has been recognized with several Belgian national honors including the Order of Leopold, the Order of the Crown, and the Order of Leopold II. These are all national orders of the Kingdom of Belgium.

- What is the Gouden Penning award that Frank De Winne received? The Gouden Penning is a science and art award conferred by the Koninklijke Vlaamse Academie van België voor Wetenschappen en Kunsten (Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium for Science and the Arts), which has been presented since 1998.

- Has Frank De Winne served in military operations? The source material indicates Frank De Winne is related to "military personnel" and the "NATO bombing of Yugoslavia" (March–June 1999 NATO military operation), suggesting possible military involvement.

## Why They Matter
Frank De Winne has made significant contributions to space exploration as a Belgian astronaut, serving as a representative of Belgium in international space endeavors. His work with Expedition 21 to the International Space Station has advanced scientific research in space. Furthermore, his recognition with multiple international and national awards demonstrates his impact and influence in both the aerospace field and on a national level. His status as a Belgian citizen who achieved astronaut status has inspired others in Belgium and internationally.

## Notable For
- Being a Belgian astronaut who has received the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal
- Receiving the Medal "For Merit in Space Exploration" from the Russian Federation
- Being awarded the Order of Friendship by the Russian Federation
- Holding honorary doctorates from Hasselt University, University of Liège, and University of Antwerp
- Receiving the Gouden Penning science and art award from the Koninklijke Vlaamse Academie van België voor Wetenschappen en Kunsten
- Recognition with multiple Belgian national honors including the Order of Leopold, Order of the Crown, and Order of Leopold II
- Receiving the NATO Medal
- Participation in Expedition 21 to the International Space Station
- Connection to the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia (indicating possible military involvement)
- Affiliation with the Royal Military Academy

## Body
### Early Life and Background
Frank De Winne is a Belgian national who has established himself as an astronaut with expertise in engineering and military service. His professional journey began in 1979, though specific details about his birth and early education are not provided in the source material.

### Education and Military Service
While specific degrees are not detailed, Frank De Winne has received several honorary doctorates from Belgian universities including Hasselt University, University of Liège, and University of Antwerp, indicating significant contributions in his field. He has connections to the Royal Military Academy, Belgium's military university founded in 1834, suggesting formal military education and training. His association with military personnel indicates service in an organized armed force.

### Career as an Astronaut
Frank De Winne's primary occupation is as an astronaut, a person who commands, pilots, or serves as a crew member of a spacecraft. He has participated in Expedition 21, the 21st long-duration mission to the International Space Station. His role as an astronaut has required skills as both an engineer (professional practitioner of engineering) and potentially as an aircraft pilot (person controlling an aircraft in flight).

### International Space Operations
Frank De Winne's work has led to international recognition, including awards from both the United States and Russia. He received the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal, established in 1969, and the NASA Space Flight Medal, established in 1981. From Russia, he has been awarded the Medal "For Merit in Space Exploration" and the Order of Friendship, a state award established in 1994.

### Belgian National Recognition
As a prominent Belgian citizen, Frank De Winne has received multiple national honors. He has been decorated with the Order of Leopold (Belgium's national honorary order of knighthood established in 1832), the Order of the Crown (national order of the Kingdom of Belgium established in 1897), and the Order of Leopold II (order of Belgium established in 1900). He also received the Gouden Penning, a science and art award conferred by the Koninklijke Vlaamse Academie van België voor Wetenschappen en Kunsten since 1998.

### Academic Recognition
Frank De Winne has been recognized with honorary doctorates from multiple Belgian universities:
- Honorary doctorate of Hasselt University
- Honorary doctor of the University of Liège
- Honorary doctor of the University of Antwerp

These academic honors reflect his contributions to science and technology.

### International Collaboration
Frank De Winne's work has extended beyond national borders. He received the Order of Orange-Nassau, a civil and military Dutch order of chivalry established in 1892, and the NATO Medal, established in 2015, suggesting involvement in international military or space cooperation. The source material connects him to the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia (March–June 1999 NATO military operation), which may indicate prior military involvement or advisory role.

### Leadership and Professional Impact
As a Belgian astronaut, Frank De Winne has served as a representative of his country in international space endeavors. His dual expertise in engineering and military service has informed his approach to space exploration and leadership. The numerous awards and honors he has received reflect his significant contributions to space exploration and his standing within both the aerospace community and Belgian society.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Human_Spaceflight/Astronauts/Frank_De_Winne)
2. [Source](https://searchpub.nssc.nasa.gov/servlet/sm.web.Fetch/Agency_Awards_Historical_Recipient_List.pdf?rhid=1000&did=2120817&type=released)
3. [Source](https://www.uhasselt.be/UH/OverUHasselt/feiten-en-cijfers/Eredoctoraten-lijst.html)
4. [Source](https://kvab.be/nl/prijzen/gouden-penning)
5. [Source](https://www.uliege.be/cms/c_9266244/fr/docteurs-honoris-causa-sur-proposition-des-autorites-de-l-uliege)
6. [Source](https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/events/honorary-degrees/previous-editions/honorary-degrees-2010/)
7. MusicBrainz
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013